The Spaniard took the number one ranking from Djokovic last month after winning 10 titles, including the French and US Opens, since returning from a serious knee injury in February.

"The year-end number one is deservedly in Nadal's hands because he had two Grand Slam wins, the best season out of all players, the most titles," said Djokovic.

Analysis

Djokovic stamped his authority on the final in the first three games by hitting the ball and moving so well. Rafa came back into it but it was a match too far for him. He deserves to be world number one but indoors Djokovic remains the man to beat.

"You cannot question that."

Looking ahead to the Davis Cup final, which begins on Friday, Djokovic added: "God knows if we are going to have as a country another opportunity, another generation like this, to win a Davis Cup title at home.

"I'm going to do my best to recover the next three days and get ready for that one."

Nadal, 27, admitted he had been outplayed on Monday but insisted he was not upset to miss out on winning the one significant title to have eluded him.

"That's the sport," said the Spaniard. "Seriously, I think it's not going to change my career, winning or losing today.

"I will not be a better player, talking about the history, with that match or without that match. Maybe I am wrong, but that's my feeling.

"That's fine. I normally accept very well the losses. I am not very disappointed.

"I know that I was not the favourite for the match, even if I tried with the right attitude, fighting for every moment, trying to be positive in every moment, even if the match was not going the way that I would like."